3.1.7 Full Ghusl Described

In this unit:

Ghusl removes major hadath from the whole body.

Every act in ghusl can be performed 1, 2 or 3 times.

Ghusl requires an intention.

Keywords

Ghusl

Major Hadath

Najasah

Intention

Just as wudu removes minor hadath from our body, ghusl removes major hadath from the body. Remember that we said major hadath is like black paint that covers the whole body? Well, when somebody has major hadath, they have to make ghusl to become pure again.

Making ghusl is just like taking a shower, but with some rules.

The Full Ghusl Described

1. Wash off any najasah that may be on any part of your body.

1. Wash off any najasah that may be on any part of your body.

There is no intention required here because removing najasah does not require an intention.

For example, wash 7 times with water, once with dust mixed in water, if a dog got you.

2. Wash your private parts while making this intention:

2. Wash your private parts while making this intention:

I intend to remove major hadath from my private parts. Or

نَوَيتُ رَفعَ الحَدَثِ الأَكبَرِ مِنْ عَورَتِي

This is a good thing to do because if you have major and minor hadath together, ghusl will wash away both. Just remember that if you wash your private parts after you start ghusl, you’ll get minor hadath again.

3. Make wudu.

3. Make wudu.

This wudu does not take away minor hadath. It is just a sunnah part of ghusl. Do the wudu in the same way we described in the past, but with just one change.

نَوَيتُ الوُضُوءَ سُنَّةً لِلغُسلِ

4. Say the niyyah for ghusl in your heart while pouring water on your head.

4. Say the niyyah for ghusl in your heart while pouring water on your head.

I intend to do fard ghusl. Or

نَوَيتُ فَرضَ الغُسلِ

Remember that niyyah has to be said with the first fard act of any worship. Since washing the entire body is the first fard act of ghusl, you can say your niyyah as soon as you start washing any part of your body. It is recommended to start by washing the head.

5. Wash your entire body from head to toe.

5. Wash your entire body from head to toe.

Start from the top of your head and move down to the rest of your body. It’s better to wash the right side before the left, and the top part of the body before the bottom. Make sure water reaches your entire outer body. This includes all your skin, all hairs on your body, and even inside the ears (but not inside the ear canals, see the picture of the ear below). So wash in this order:

Be sure to wash and not just wipe. Washing means the water flows everywhere. Here are some parts people miss, so make sure you wash these:

Inside and behind ears
Inside the belly button
Between the toes
If you have a braid or a beard, the insides of it so water reaches every hair
Any folds of skin

Since the entire body is considered as one organ in ghusl, you can start by washing any part of the body you want, even your feet. But starting with the head is best.